Gene Therapy

The technology to alter traits of individuals exists. CRISPR is a gene editing technology that scientists can use to replace defective parts of the DNA sequence with healthy ones. Tampering with DNA can erase the faulty genes causing debilitating diseases.

Stem cells offer great hope to treat a variety of diseases, but the strategy we are taking offers an alternative approach to regenerate organs. Specifically, we should look to the great potential of changing our own cells to repair damaged tissue.

There are large social and ethical considerations that mitochondrial replacement forces us to confront. Most importantly, this technology raises one of the thorniest questions humanity will ever face: are we willing to genetically modify future generations of humans?

A watershed moment in gene therapy has finally come to pass. This month, a committee from the European Medicines Agency recommended the approval of a gene therapy drug, named Glybera (alipogene tiparvovec), for the treatment of a rare inherited genetic disorder.

Ever since The Science of Desire by Dean Hamer (1993), the scientific world and gays and lesbians around the world have been plagued by the idea of a single gene controlling human sexual orientation. The specter of de-gaying by gene therapy has haunted us ever since.